Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms



J. M. WHITTEMORE.

Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms.

No. 131,487. Patented Sep.17,1872.

UNITED STATEs PATENT @FFIGE.

JAMEs M. WHITTEMORE, on AUGUSTA, MAINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131 187, dated September 17, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES M. WHITTE- MORE, of Augusta, in the county of Kennebec and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech- Loading Fire Arms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a side view of such parts of a breech-loading fire-arm as are necessary to illustrate my invention. Fig. 2 represents a similar view with the hammer drawn back; and Fig. 3 represents a front viewof the recoil-block.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the discharging devices and parts connected therewith in breech-loading firearms.

In the drawing, the parts marked A represent the discharging-hammer, which swings on the pivot a. It also, in this instance, serves to close the breech. B indicates the locking piece, hinged to the upper rear portion of the hammer A by the pivot b, and provided with a thumb-piece, B, projecting upward from its front end, by means of which said locking piece, together with the hammer A, can be swung back. 0 indicates the recoilblock, arranged at the rear of the locking piece within the stock D, and against which the recoil occasioned by the discharge of the cartridge is borne. E indicates the cartridgeshell extractor, which is arranged through the central portion of the hammer and secured therein by a pin, 0, while its rear end passes through and is supported in a downward projecting lug, d, on the rear end of-the locking piece B. F indicates a coiled-wire spring, arranged upon the spindle of the extractor, which spring presses against the lug d and supports the locking piece B, as indicated in the drawing. The locking piece is notched, as shown at e, forming a double face upon its rear end to fit the notched or double-faced recoil-block 0, so that when the hammer A is set up against the cartridge, the rear end of the locking piece will bear firmly against the recoil-block with both that portion above and that below the notch e. The face of the recoil-block O iscurved, so that that portion of the locking piece B below the notch e will bear upon the block when at any position along the face thereof. This renders the looking of the parts secure against accident from the cartridge-shell being blown from the rear of the barrel in case the discharge shouldtake place before the locking piece is entirely against the notch, or if said piece should slip from the face when the discharge takes place. The notch also serves as a stop to prevent the rear end of the locking piece from swinging otherwise be obtained. The lower end of the hammer is formed into a tumbler-block, and the main-spring may be attached to the forward projecting portion A in the ordinary manner, while suitable notches f f are formed on the rear portion to receive the trigger, which latter may be of any suitable kind and arrangement. The dotted lines g indicate the position of the cartridge within the barrel, and the lines h the upper surface of said barrel.

The parts marked A and B, although called or termed hammer A and locking piece B, may be very properly designated a compound swinging breech-block.

The cartridge-extractin g devices, together with other additional improvements, will be found described and claimed in another application bearing even date herewith.

Having described my improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, what I claim therein as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A frame for a breech-loading gun or firearm, having the recoil-block O with the locking recess formed therein, substantially as described.

2. The compound breech-block, composed of the parts A and B, the latter being provided with a thumb-piece, B, the parts being united by a socket-joint, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of the breech-block A B with the recoil-block O of the frame, conthereby rendered inore safe, substantially as structed with the locking recess, substantially herein set forth.

as described.

4. The swinging breech-block, having its locking face or shoulder constructed substantially as described, whereby the breech is locked before it is entirely closed and the arm JAMES M. WHITTEMORE.

' Witnesses:

P. F. SANBORN, SELDEN CONNOR. 

